Game apparatus



W. L. LOFTUS GAME APPARATUS Filed Oct.

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Patented Sept. 14, 1926.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM L. Lorros, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GAME APPARATUS.

Application filed October 10, 1925.

This application relates to games in which the rolling of a ball toward a goal is involved, and its object is to provide a novel apparatus for games ofthis kind which is especially suitable for the game of marbles.

A further object of the novel apparatus is to provide a common goal toward which all plays in the game are directed.

A still further object of the invention is to simplify the playing process and define the count of the various moves therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which requires a limited playingarea and therefore renders playing indoors practicable.

A final, but nevertheless important object of the invention is to construct the novel apparatus in simple form and of few parts, whereby the same may be produced at low cost.

With the above objects in mind, attention is directed to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification,.- in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the novel game apparatus;

' Fig. 2 is a plan view, and

Fig. 3 is a medial vertical sectionpartly in elevationtaken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Referring specifically to the drawing, the main portion of the novel apparatus consists of a longitudinal plate 5 formed with integral end pieces 6, which increase in width toward the bottom to lend the structure stability when laid on a floor or other flat surface. For purposes of ornament and economy of material, the plate 5 is given a scallop-topped design 5 and is cut with openings 5*, these considerations being however of a secondary character and susceptible to change as is found most expedient.

In the lower part of the plate are cuta number of openings, these progressing in size from the central opening 7 to the intermediate openings 7 and finally to the outer opening 7. Considering the appliance as viewed from the front in Fig. 1, the openings enumerated are somewhat undercut toward the rear as indicated in Fig. 3 whereby to form receptacles or seats for a series of light rubber balls 8 applied to the plate from the rear. The balls 8 are equal in size and relatively large for the openings with which associated; and the Serial No. 61,785.

progressive sizes of the respective openings will limit the frontal exposure of each ball to correspond. 'The frontal surface of the center ball will thus be least exposed; that of each intermediate ball more enposed, and so on.

The rubber balls 8 are impaled on pins 9 which are formed with looped heads 10. The top of the plate 5 is formed witha re duced and apertured lug 11 through which the loop 10 of each pin 9 is passed and closed, these parts forming a support for each ball 7 and being of course situatedopposite the site of the latter.

, In the use of the apparatus for the game oitmarbles, the plate 5 is designed to serve as a goal, toward whose frontal side a mar ble 12 is rolled as suggested by the straight line of arrows in'Fig. 3. If proper aim is taken toward one of the exposed rubber ball surfaces 7, the resulting impact of the marble with its objective v. ill impel the ball to swing over in the direction of the curved arrows in Fig. 3 and drop in front of the'plate as indicated by finely-dotted lines in the same figure. This act closes the plate, so to speak, at the site of the aiiected ball and entitles the player to score a value in pointsf In this connection, it will be seen that the frontal surface of the plate is cast with figures over each opening, progressing toward the middle of the plate, or inversely with the areas of exposure of the respective balls 7. Obviously, the number of points scored increases with the skill required to attain the desired objective. The coined title of the marble game,- Mibs as known in boyhood lore, forms an appropriate heading for the characters borne by the apparatus.

When an entrant has finished his turn the displaced balls 7 may be swung back to their original positions at the back of the plate 5.

It will be seen'that the novel apparatus embodies a simple base or guide for a game in which marbles, balls or other rolling objects are used. The device forms a concentrated goal or objective which confines the game to a limited area and therefore renders games adaptable to the appliance capable of being played indoors. The wide end pieces 6 of the device act to confine marbles or balls within the area allotted to the game once they have entered the goal area, so that such marbles or balls may not roll away laterally. The balls 7 are of resilient, spongy rubber, and should one eventually loosen and drop from its pin, it will be an easy matter to turn and again impale it firmly, at another point of its surface.

I claim 1. A game apparatus comprising a support, a plurality of targets having upwardly directed attaching stems pivotally connected to said support, said targets being normally positioned at the rear of the support and adapted to be swung over the same to a fully visible position in front of the support.

2. A game apparatus comprising a support, a plurality of targets having upwardly directed attaching stems pivotally connected to said support, said targets being normally positioned at the rear of the support and adapted to be swung over the same to a position in front of the support, said support being provided with tapered openings to partially receive said targets.

3. A game apparatus of the character specified comprising a support having spaced openings of varying diameters, pivotal targets normally arranged at one side of the support and extended into said openings and having stems pivotally connected to the support above said openings, the connection between said stelis and said support permitting the targets to be swung from a position at one side of the support to a positionat the opposite side of the support in plain view of the participant in the game.

4. A game apparatus for marbles or the like comprising a goal plate having a series of openings and target elements suspended behind the openings and adapted to swing over from the impact of a striking element to a position in front of the Said openings.

5. A game apparatus for marbles or the like comprising a goal plate having a series of openings and target balls of resilient material suspended behind the openings and adapted to swing over from the impact of a striking element to a position in front of the said openings.

6. A game apparatus for marbles or the like comprising a goal plate having a series of opei'iings, resilient target balls disaosed behind the openings, supporting pins for said balls upon which the latter are impaled apertured lugs formed at the top of the plate opposite the openings, and loops formed from said pins and linked with said lugs.

7. A game apparatus of the character specified comprising a Wall having supporting means, said wall being provided with openings, spherical targets normally visible through said openings and having attaching stems horizontally pivoted to the upper portion of said wall whereby the targets may be swung from one side of the opening to the opposite side of the opening.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM L. LOFTUS. 

